Blues Around the Clock
Jimmy Witherspoon · 1964
29 min · 10 tracks · blues
A vibrant blend of traditional blues and heartfelt vocals, capturing the essence of American soul music in the early '60s.
Top tracks — play these first
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Goin' to Chicago Blues — This track encapsulates the quintessential blues journey, featuring Witherspoon’s soulful voice paired with an infectious rhythm that evokes a sense of urgency and wanderlust.
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No Rollin' Blues — The song highlights Witherspoon's ability to blend melancholy with a lively tempo, showcasing his storytelling prowess through vivid imagery and emotional depth.
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You Made Me Love You — With its heartfelt lyrics and dynamic arrangement, this track exemplifies Witherspoon's ability to convey deep emotion while maintaining a playful energy that resonates throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid blues compositions and strong vocal performances but lacks standout tracks to elevate it further.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of traditional blues structures, with most tracks following a standard twelve-bar format.
- Witherspoon's vocal delivery is prominent throughout, often accompanied by a small band that includes guitar, piano, and harmonica.
- Several tracks include call-and-response elements between Witherspoon's vocals and instrumental sections, enhancing the live feel of the recording.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- quick bursts of heartfelt emotion
- for lively gatherings
- nostalgic vibe with soulful vocals
- short tracks for easy enjoyment
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy, immersive albums
- seek complex musical experimentation
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 1964, Jimmy Witherspoon was establishing himself as a prominent figure in the blues scene following his breakthrough with 'Ain't Nobody's Business'. This album came at a time when he was gaining recognition for his emotive vocal style and solidifying his place within the genre, bridging earlier styles with contemporary influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Big Joe Turner· T-Bone Walker· Muddy Waters
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I Had a Dream 2:30
- 2 Goin' to Chicago Blues 2:19
- 3 No Rollin' Blues 4:45
- 4 You Made Me Love You 2:44
- 5 My Babe 1:48
- 6 S.K. Blues 3:51
- 7 Whose Hat Is That 2:40
- 8 Around the Clock 3:15
- 9 He Gave Me Everything 3:02
- 10 Goin' Down Slow 2:45
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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